Insatiable hunger, p.9
Insatiable Hunger, page 9
It had been at least an hour, maybe two, since the group had all split up and gone our separate ways. I mindlessly snapped a few more photos, thinking about Alaska and how she was doing, wandering the enormous graveyard. I didn’t particularly enjoy the idea of her being alone, even if she did have Alastair, not after what happened last night. It was obvious we weren’t the only ones out in these woods.
A high-pitched whistle peeped somewhere in the distance, causing me to stop in my tracks. Alaska? I stood still, listening, when a soft beep, followed by a wave of piercing static, echoed through the two-way radio.
“Hey guys?” Ruby’s voice carried through the walkie talkie. “Did anyone else hear that whistle? It was pretty intense, enough so that Jinx could kind of feel it. Cain, you better not be fucking with us.” I held the radio in my hand, staring at it as I waited for Alaska’s voice to come through.
Beep.
Static returned. “I—” Alaska’s voice was cut short, the sound of a disembodied laugh hidden within the thick, electric layer of static. My body jolted at the sound, the hair raising on the back of my neck. What the fuck was that?
Beep.
“I’m sorry,” Did she hear that laugh? “Can you repeat that? You cut out,” Ruby casually asked. It didn’t seem as though she had heard what I did. But how?
Beep.
Only loud static came through the other end. No voice. No words. Just looming static.
Beep.
“Alaska?” She didn’t reply to Ruby.
Beep.
“There must be something wrong with her radio,” Cain’s voice shot through. “Probably just the batteries dying. I did warn you guys—”
I pressed the button to speak, cutting him off. “Someone should check on her.” The ghostly laughter kept playing, stuck in my mind, making me feel uneasy. I already didn’t like the idea of her being alone out here, but now, the idea was extremely unsettling, especially after hearing that strange voice.
Beep.
“We’re not far; we can head her way,” Ruby replied.
I pressed the button again. “Let me know if you guys need me to head back as well.”
Beep.
“Calm down, Lazarus. We can handle it.” She groaned.
The radio fell silent. Yeah, not happening.
I placed the camera and stack of photos back into my bag and quickly headed back the way I came, quickening my pace.
I’m coming, dreamer.
Chapter
Eighteen
ALASKA
“Damn this thing,” I groaned, smacking the bulky radio before tossing the bulky radio into my bag. The batteries must’ve died, leaving it useless. Just my luck. Clouds slowly began to fill the sky, concealing the light of the moon and stars as darkness befell the land. “We should probably head back the direction we came,” I spoke to Alastair, my flashlight in hand. “If that was Lazarus who whistled, then he’s probably trying to find us.”
Alastair and I began our trek back down the path we had started on, the wind picking up as the trees swayed and dead leaves gathered around us, dancing in the cold air. I hadn’t experienced any additional paranormal incidents, aside from the unsettling feeling of being watched, which had sadly begun to feel ‘normal’ in this ancient little town. We continued, taking our time as we traveled back, observing the various tombstones and hand carved statues. The beam of my flashlight began to flicker as an odd feeling tapped my shoulder.
“What?” I smacked the plastic light, the golden beam flickering as I hoped for it to stop. I tipped the flashlight around to check the batteries when it suddenly began to surge with each blink, the beam growing in brightness until the glass bulb popped, shattering in my hand. A faint sliver of neon green fire trickled from the broken bulb and faded into the air. The plastic handle burned, causing me to open my palm with a loud gasp. I dropped the flashlight, smoke trailing from the hot, broken bulb. Alastair looked up at me, his eyes glowing with concern. It felt as though something, or someone, was toying with me.
The feel of something breathing against my neck frightened me, my body whipping around to see who was there, but I was alone. There was nothing but a faint night breeze. Fear overcame me when I felt as though someone was standing directly in front of me
I see you.
The same disembodied voice from earlier in the night hissed, the weight of those words scratching against my skin. I could feel the color instantly draining from my face, my stomach sinking with absolute fear. Something was out here with me. Something evil.
The startling presence vanished immediately, my body exhaling in relief. Alastair stopped, his ears raised high, a seemingly different noise pulling his attention away. I glanced at Alastair, my brows scrunching in confusion. “What is it?” I whispered. The sounds of footsteps crunching against the dry autumn leaves could be heard in the distance.
The steps increased, as if someone was shuffling towards us, closing in. I became anxious, my hands glowing as my magic reacted to my emotions. Alastair surprisingly didn’t growl. He didn’t change his posture or act defensive in any way, only observant. That’s odd; usually Alastair only acts this way if—
A tall, dark silhouette appeared, catching my attention as it moved through the graveyard, heading in our direction. Before I could mutter a word or even think, I rotated my hand and aimed a ripple of my magic in its direction. The shadow weaved, the blue fire missing its target, slamming into the torso of a nearby statue as the flames fizzled away.
“Holy shit!” I knew that voice.
“Lazarus?” I lifted my other hand, my magic illuminating the features of his face as he slowly approached us, his eyes wide and perplexed. Alastair immediately flounced to him, licking his hand.
“Man, I know I’ve seen that trick before, but hell, being on the other end of it is pretty fucking terrifying.” He pointed to the still-smoking impact mark. “Talk about power.” A heavy sigh of relief fell from my lips. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to scare you,” he stroked Alastair’s head, “but I rushed this way after I heard you whistle. When your voice cut out, I assumed your radio died—”
“I thought you were the one who whistled?” He lifted his head, an odd expression across his face.
Lazarus shook his head, sighing. “This is the last time I listen to Cain and let you just wander off to investigate alone.” I completely agreed with him. My eyes examined him, admiring his physique when I realized he had trekked all this way in darkness.
“What happened to your flashlight?” I asked.
“Oh.” He pulled it from his bag. “It randomly just shut off on my way up here. It was really weird, ‘cause it started glowing green? I’ve never seen it do that before. I know I replaced the batteries in all of them after what happened in the last investigation.” Strange. It seemed something indeed was messing with us both.
“We should probably head back and find the rest of the group. It’s been an interesting night, but I’m ready to get out of these woods.” I gripped the straps of my bag, uncomfortable with all that had occurred in the last twenty-four hours, particularly uneasy at the idea of being toyed with. Something about this cemetery seemed off.
“Did Ruby and Jinx not show up?” He asked. I shook my head. “That’s odd. They said they were heading your way when I started walking back, I figured they would have found you by now.” He glanced around the cemetery. “They probably got lost in this maze. I’m surprised I was able to even find you.”
“This whole place is odd.” Lazarus turned, glancing at me. “I can’t shake the feeling of being watched.” My eyes looked all around, taking in the scenery. “There’s something different about this place. Not just this cemetery, but the woods, the cabin, the whole town of New Bedeville.”
“Well that’s not ominous.” His smartass tone pulled me back as he tried to shift the mood of our conversation. “On a lighter note, have you had any luck with the investigation?”
Part of me wanted to tell him about the memorial for the Hemlock victims, but I also wanted to respect their peace and, despite Cain’s ghost story, I didn’t think there was any relevance on the matter. So, I decided to keep their existence to myself. “The only thing I’ve experienced all night is bad luck. Both my radio and flashlight died. Seems as if something in these woods doesn’t want me here.”
“Or,” he crossed his arms, “Cain’s been messing with our equipment again. I’m telling you, after what happened with the last investigation, he’s purposely—”
“You really think Cain is sabotaging our things?”
Lazarus shot me a look. “He does seem to enjoy watching the rest of us suffer.” He wasn’t wrong; Cain always did seem amused by any displeasure or misstep we seemed to experience. “Oh, I have something for you,” Lazarus said, reaching into his bag. “I was able to photograph a fox tonight.”
My entire demeanor lighted. “Really?” He nodded, shuffling through a stack of prints. “I know you take photographs in hopes of capturing a ghost, but your nature prints always make me smile.” Our eyes locked for a moment, the moon peeking from behind a layer of clouds, its light revealing his handsome face.
Lazarus smiled, his expression warm yet playful. “You know,” he returned the stack of photos to his bag and stepped closer, “since we’re all alone out here,” his burned hand gently glided along my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ear, “we could easily slip away into the shadows.”
I swallowed, my cheeks burning at his delicate touch. His face leaned towards mine, his hand gripping my jaw as my mouth dropped open. “What do you say, darling?” he breathed into me. “Want to join me in the darkness while I make you howl at the moon?” My hands slowly began to glow, the obvious blue light reflecting in his chestnut eyes. Lazarus smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Chapter
Nineteen
LAZARUS
Alaska’s powder blue eyes sparkled, burning like kindling against the darkness, her magic radiating from her hands, mimicking her irises. It was the visual confirmation I needed to whisk her into the shadows and unleash my devilish desires.
Her mouth remained open, her poppy-colored lips inviting mine to join them. As I leaned in to kiss her, she turned her head away, my lips landing on her soft rosy cheek. My jaw clenched, knowing where her thoughts lingered.
“We can’t,” she whispered, her breathing slightly raised. I lowered my head, reluctantly releasing her chin. Her hands clasped mine, pulling me back to her. “You know how I feel about you, Lazarus, but Cain—”
“Don’t.” I cut her words off at the sound of his name. “I’ve respected your choice to keep this what it's been for a long time,” I looked at Alaska, her colored fringe framing her face perfectly, “but it’s agonizing having to watch you with him. You spend your days pretending with him but fill your nights tangled with me. You can’t just keep dragging us both along.” I lowered my head disappointed in myself. “I thought I could handle being your secret, but after everything you said last night…” I hesitated for a moment, remembering her words. “You possess my thoughts and my dreams, always there in my mind. My heart aches for you, Alaska. Every beat is this unbearable craving I have but can never fulfill because you choose to stay with him. I can’t stand being apart from you. It drives me insane.” She stared at me, eyes wide. “I am yours, Alaska… but you are not mine. You're his, and I want more. I need more.”
“I can’t give you more.” Her voice was weak and pained.
“Why?” I pleaded, clutching her hands. “Why can’t you just leave him?” Alastair snorted, reminding me to pull my temper back.
“I just can’t, Lazarus. What you want can only be in our dreams,” Alaska snapped, lowering her head. “I’ve been with him for so long, and he’s just…. I know it’s wrong, but—”
“See? You said it yourself. It’s wrong. He’s wrong for you. You know it. You don’t want to be with him, so why are you? Why stay? Just leave him.”
“You don’t know him like I do!” She raised her voice, ripping her hands from mine as a single tear fell from her eyes. Her hands burned, balled into fists at her side, glowing brighter than I had ever seen them. Her face was painted with multiple emotions: anger, sadness, fear.
“Dreamer?” I tilted her face up, staring into her reddened eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to upset you. I just…” I sighed. “I just want you. All of you.”
“I can’t give you what you want.” She sniffled. “He…” Her words trailed off as she tried to look away.
My hands cradled her face, gently forcing it back to face me. “He what?” Her expression changed, breaking as she refused to answer me. Her behavior had always made me question Cain’s aggression, the way she flinched when he slammed that rock into the lock earlier, her uneasiness to leave the room without his approval. It all but confirmed my suspicions of how he treated her when no one was looking. My arms flexed as I fought back my anger, my jaw clenching as I spoke to her.
“Alaska, tell me the truth. Does he hurt you?” Her eyes widened with fear as she shook her head in response. Anger bubbled in my chest at her reaction, dreading the answer. “Don’t lie to me, darling. Tell me the truth. Does. Cain. Hurt. You?” I demanded, dreading the words.
Another tear rushed down her reddened cheek. “I—,” She hesitated. “It has only happened a few times.” The painful whisper stabbed my heart, and fury boiled in my veins as my muscles tightened with wrath. I knew it.
“When?” I growled. The idea of him putting hands on Alaska, on my woman—it was wrong. He had no right.
“Lazarus, please, he—”
“When?” Alastair barked at my raised voice, but I couldn’t control myself. My body was flooded with rage.
“Last week!” she shouted, tears flowing from her eyes. “Last week. That’s why–that’s why I stood you up.” The pain she visibly showed softened my touch as I realized the burden she was carrying and how my reaction must’ve made her feel. My shoulders relaxed as I tried to calm down, swallowing my anger, filled with shame.
“I didn’t want you to know,” she sniffled. “He was mad at me for working so much—for being away from him. I tried to calm him down, but you’ve seen how he gets. That anger… there’s no stopping it once it starts!” She rubbed her eyes, her skin flushing at the roughness. “I can’t leave him. If I do, he’ll hurt me. Even if I run away, he’ll still find a way to get to me. You know he will. That’s why I can’t be with you, Lazarus. Not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t.” Alaska sobbed her words up at me, pushing my hands back as she slammed her fists into my chest with each beat of her voice. “Even if my heart aches and longs for you. I’m starving to be free of him and give myself fully to you, but I can’t! I’m trapped, Lazarus!” she cried. I grabbed her arms and yanked her close as I hugged her tightly, stroking her hair. “I’m broken, Lazarus.” Her voice was muffled as she spoke into my chest, tears soaking my shirt. “Damaged. You may think you want me, but you don’t. He’s defiled me with his venom as my soul rots from the inside out. I can never give you what you want because I can never be free.” My heart shattered at her harrowing words.
“Alaska,” I pulled her from my chest and stared into her eyes, “there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You are not damaged. You are not poisoned. You are perfect, and I want you exactly as you are.” My mouth slammed down onto hers, the saltiness of her tears mixing with our saliva as I kissed her fiercely, unable to hold back my emotions.
“I–” she breathed against my lips. “I want you too,” she whined. “I just—”
“Don’t.” I reluctantly broke my mouth from hers, pulling back. “I’m sorry for being a selfish prick. I’ll stay your secret as long as you want me to. But Alaska,” my gaze darkened, “if he touches you again, hurts you in any way, or even makes you feel unsafe…” She listened to my words carefully. “I’ll kill him.”
And I meant it.
Chapter
Twenty
LAZARUS
Alaska returned to my chest, hugging me close as she calmed her tears. I nestled my face into her hair, deeply inhaling her scent, my heart fluttering as we sat in that peaceful moment. All I wanted was to keep her safe and protect her. She was mine, and I would do anything to keep it that way.
“You’re wrong, you know.” Alaska muffled her words into my shirt. “I’m not his.” She lifted her head, a soft smile now stretched along her reddened face. “I’m yours, Lazarus.” The statement excited me as I leaned in and kissed her fiercely. “Damn straight, darling,” I spoke into her mouth, the end of mine curling into a smirk.
Distant voices interrupted the passionate moment, causing Alaska to immediately pull away from me as Alastair, who had been laying at our feet, perked up. I could see her usual guilt return as she fidgeted with her hands, her eyes shying away.
“Hey,” she glanced up at me, “this is our secret, and I’ll keep it that way as long as you wish. But just know that when you’re with me, I’m going to make sure you forget he even exists. You're mine, and I intend to remind you of that in every way possible.” She bit her lower lip, her fingertips faintly brightening. That’s my girl.
Bright light hit our faces as the voices we heard came close enough to decipher, belonging to Ruby and Jinx. “Oh.” Ruby raised a brow as Alaska stepped back, increasing the distance between us. “Hope we didn’t interrupt anything. Everything okay over here?” she asked, crossing her arms with a raised brow.
“Peachy.” I grinned as Alaska’s cheeks burned.
Jinx made a face, bouncing on her toes as Ruby eyed the two of us. “Mhm.”
